The last girl in my husband’s direct lineage, Mary Ann Ball, was born in 1893. She was the fourth child and third daughter born to Samson and Mary Elizabeth Ball. Eight more sons were added to the family over the next 14 years. Samson and Mary Elizabeth were blessed with 45 grandchildren. Twenty-nine of those offspring were boys, including all four children born to my husband’s grandparents Giles and Lena Ball.
Three sons were born to my in-laws, Bob and Katherine Ball. After growing up with three brothers and raising three sons, Bob was anxious to have a granddaughter. Steve and I provided the only grandchildren–three boys.
Now it’s our turn to be the grandparents. We were blessed with a grandson a year ago. At Easter we learned that another grandchild was on the way. Given the Ball family history of producing male offspring, we planned for another grandson. Yesterday we were thrilled (and surprised) to learn that our grandchild is a girl!
We were delighted to share the news with Steve’s mother and wish that Steve’s father were still alive to share in the joy. Of course, a grandson would have been just as loved as this little girl already is. Our prayers have always been for healthy children and grandchildren, and we are happy to have boys or girls, as the Lord sees fit to send our way.
Historically, the odds were in favor of a girl. Going back 12 genereations to 1655, there have been 78 births in Steve’s direct lineage. Of those 20 have been girls. That’s about one girl for every three boys. After 19 boys in a row, the Balls were long overdue for a girl! We can hardly wait to meet her.
Susan's Reflections 
Congratulations, Susan (et al)! The stats are amazing! What an exciting time.
Thanks, Lenore. We were beginning to think there would be no more Ball girls. She will be one spoiled but precious little girl!